HOW TO PAINT A PREVIOUSLY PAINTED AND DAMAGED THRIFT DRESSER | YOUTUBE VIDEO
Hello, beautiful! Today, I’m sharing how I transformed this previously painted child’s dresser into an ‘adult’ piece of furniture using three things. A bold color, an inexpensive set of Amazon legs, and new hardware! I can’t wait to hear what you think of this color and the new look!
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Here’s the previously painted dresser I started with. It was selling at my local restore for $40 with 50% off. The young men who loaded into my FUV commented on how desperately it needed some TLC…lol.
There was one drawer that had a damaged corner. Once I pulled on the wood it pulled right off, leaving me with a missing corner that needed repair.
It had also been painted more than once and had some significant dings and gouges. It touches my heart that someone took the time to paint and then re-paint this piece. My guess – or at least the story I’m going with 😉 – is some little girl had this dresser and then it was passed down to her little sister. I could tell this dresser was well-loved.
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WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Thrift Store Dresser – SALVAGED
White Lightning Cleaner
Bondo Putty Filler
Shop Towels
Sanding Sponge
Bonding Boss Primer
Sequoia SILK All-In-One Mineral Paint
Paint Brush
Smooth Roller Kit
Black Furniture Legs
Straight Bar Drawer Handles
PREVIOUSLY PAINTED DRESSER MAKEOVER
Here’s how it all came together…
CLEAN
I started by removing the knobs and then giving this previously painted dresser a good cleaning. I used this heavy-duty furniture cleaner mixed water in a spray bottle and cleaned it from top to bottom.
DRAWER REPAIR + FILL
To fill the hardware holes and repair the missing wood on the corner of the drawer, I mixed up some Bondo Putty. I like mixing in small batches – about the size of a golf ball. Then I add a pea size amount of harder and mix it really well. The beautiful thing about Bondo is it dries super fast and is ready lickity split. The caveat to this is you have to work fast once you add the harder. It will start drying up within 5 minutes. I have a full tutorial on How To Use Bondo here.
Because there was a significant amount of wood split, I used a paint stick to create a ‘ledge’ for the Bondo to sit on. Also for damage this size, a few coats needed to be applied. I couldn’t fix it all in one shot. You can see in the pic below, even after it was all sanded smooth, it still required a little more filling.
PRIME WITH BONDING PRIMER
The priming and filling went hand in hand. I really like to prime so I can see ALL the scratches and divots that need attention. After I filled the first round of repairs, hardware holes and scratches with Bondo, I sanded smooth and then primed with BIN Shellac Based Primer. Then once the primer was dry, I filled the visible flaws again. I kepts repeating this process, 3x in total for a smooth primed finish.
PAINTING
Now for the fun part – picking a paint color! I wanted to paint this dresser a more ‘mature’ bold color. To create a statement piece using one color, I went for this Sequoia SILK All-In-One Mineral Paint. Another reason I choose the SILK brand is so I wouldn’t have to topcoat. It’s a huge timesaver.
I used my brush and roll paint technique to get a super smooth finish. It’s easy to do. I brush a coat of paint on with a synthetic paint brush. Once I have the surface covered in paint, in this case the top of the drawer, I grab my inexpensive ‘smooth’ roller, and lightly roll over the brushed on paint. This smooths the paint out beautifully – so well that once it has dried, it looks very similar to a spray on finish!
FINISHING DETAILS
For the finishing details I added these affordable legs that I found on Amazon and also some matching black hardware.
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I finally used the brush and roll technique, and I wish I would have learned this 10 projects ago!! lol The finish is so much better than just brush! My questions are: why don’t you just roll the paint instead of brush and roll, and how do you accommodate inside corners with the roller?
I am always excited to see what furniture you have transformed next! You give me so many ideas. While I don’t always love every piece you create, I ALWAYS love that you most always choose color!!
I’m so happy you’re happy with the brush and roll paint technique Cara. I think its awesome too! The paint finish is very different with using a roller on its own. The pressure and amount of paint (using just a roller on it’s own) can lead to flashing – lines where the roller meets up with the freshly laid paint and a more textured finish. I pretty efficient using the roller inside corners and edges but you can use your brush to smooth out any imperfections as well.
Wow. You really did Save this forlorn little piece.
As with others – not a bg fan of red- but this is such a muted warm red. It now feels very cozy.
I do like the feet and hardware. The added height give it some added presence.
You should be proud to have given this piece a whole new life 🙂
I’ve not used bondo yet. I really appreciate your detailed process.
I think you must have been a teacher in a previous life !
Thanks. I love it !
Red is one of those colors people either gravitate to – or don’t…lol. I’m so happy you like this makeover P! And such a huge compliment about the teaching, thank YOU! XOXO
LOL, you’re brave to take this on, I would have run! Kudos for seeing the potential, it turned out great & will last another long time. Nice look with the legs & pulls in black.
I felt sorry for this sad little piece…lol. I hope someone can get another good few years of use out of it now. Have a super weekend my friend! XOXO
That dresser is gorgeous all grown up. Could you “see” it’s transformation in your mind when you came across it? Because it seems like it would take a very creative person ,like yourself, to recognize the potential and not just walk by. I love the earthy red color and black hardware.
Thank you Joanne! When I walked past it in the Restore it just looked sad and I wanted to ‘help’ it…lol. I love working with these ‘blank’ canvas furniture pieces because they can take SO MANY creative directions. So no, I didn’t know exactly what I was going to do but I knew it had a TON of potential. 🙂 So glad you like the new look!
Can’t call me an ugly duckling anymore! The paint color is outstanding and the new hardware elevates the transformation! Amazing work as usual! Thank you for sharing.
No ugly duckling anymore…lol! Thanks Deanna I appreciate you!
Beautiful! I’m not a “red” lover but this red turned my head. I love how rich it looks and what an amazing job you did on this sweet little dresser. The black hardware makes just the right statement. Well done as always. Have a great week. 🙂
Thanks my friend. I’m with you. I usually don’t gravitate to red furniture either but I quite like this Sequoia color with the ‘earthy’ undertones. I hope it sells to someone who loves it! Wishing you a fabulous week as well! XOXO
Well! you did a real work of magic on this piece, Denise. I mimic those who are not fans of red on furniture, but I really like this. On my screen it’s not a “red-red”, but what I call a “woodsy” red. Whatever its name, it’s very chic. I really like the black legs but unfortunately, I’m not fond of the outside application. But if I see more of it, I’ll probably fall in line.
All in all, it’s a WIN!
Winner winner chicken dinner…lol! Me and my sister are always using this phrase lately. Thanks so much Caye! And i love your description of a “woodsy red”… yessss! Have a super week my friend. XOXO
Stunning! It looks very sophisticated and the black hardware really elevated the look. I love that you lofted it.
Thank you Leslie! XOXO
Like some of your other readers, I’m usually not a fan of red furniture but this is stunning Denise! It looks all grown up with this paint color and the black accents. Beautiful work as always!
I guess this red is a ‘hit’…lol. I’m so glad you like it Nicki, thank you!
What a difference – very sophisticated. Pinned
Sheila
Aw,thank you! And thanks so much for the PIN! XOXO
How do YOU measure where the handles go?
Hi Helen! I measure center – width and height – and then use this inexpensive template I bought off Amazon. https://youtu.be/kq-kyndviQg?si=425pAZxo34j4sZzM
That was a great remake and repair, I have not tried Bondo before but it looks like it does a good job. I just love your display with the rug and plant and picture and the dresser is gorgeous in that color and with those legs. Do you apply paint to the roller when you go over your brushstrokes or is it dry? You have a wonderful talent and I really enjoy your makeovers!
Thanks Celia! And no, no paint is added onto the roller. Great question btw, I should have clarified this in the post so thanks for asking!
I don’t normally go for darker colors on furniture however, I LOVE THIS! Love everything about it. The tomato kind of red, black handles and legs that create such a striking and somehow subdued color brightness.
Don’t even get me started on your talents and skills! I learn so much from your techniques and knowledge of your craft.
You make me believe I can be a superwoman diy queen too!
You put a big smile on my face! We are ALL SUPERWOMEN QUEENS 👑👑👑 and I’m so happy these projects are inspiring you Jewels!🤗
Denise- I LOVE this color!! What a GREAT job on this dresser- it looks FANTASTIC! The hardware makes it POP! Keep up the great work- I LOVE to see people recycle good pieces of furniture. They are usually better made than the stuff from today. Just takes a little elbow grease to make it pretty again. Well done!
Hi Janice!! Thank you, I really like this color as well. It’s not TOO red/bright yet really holds it’s space as a focal point. And ya, this dresser has been well loved and I’m sure it has a few more years of use again. Have a super day!
JUST WOW!!! 🥰
Thank you Susan! 💕
Love the new look and gorgeous “mature color”! One question: did you purposefully take the original bottom drawer (the one with the groove across the middle) and switch it with the top drawer? I really like it there ~ but initially I was asking myself, “When did Denise explain that she decided to add a groove across the top drawer?” Then I went back to the original photos and saw that the grooved drawer was the bottom drawer lol! In any case, it looks fab. Thanks again for fabulous inspiration: you’re THE BOMB 🫶🏼
Yes, good eye Suzy! I purposely switched the grooved bottom drawer to the top. I’m guessing this was the correct order and when it was donated they put the drawers in will-nilly. So glad you like the more mature color and the makeover! Have a super week! XOXO
Hi Denise. I’m absolutely amazed by your work. This dresser was definitely in need of a makeover and you did wonders. I’m generally not a fan of red, but the color paired with the new hardware and legs is perfection.
Hi Monique!🤗 Thank you, and I agree, this one was in need of some TLC. So glad you like this red even though your usually not a fan of red! I like this red as well. It has some earth undertones to tone it down. 🙂 Have a great week my friend. Hugs
This is beautiful! You used magic on this piece. The color? Fantastic!
You’re very kind Laura, thank you! I really like this Sequoia color as well. 🙂